Chapter 165 (1/2)
Volume 2
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (WN) Chapter 163
163. REWARDS AND EVOLUTION II
Now then, the problem was Diablo.
He would, without question, become the strongest among the candidates for evolution.
Not just the strongest among my subordinates, but peering even my own strength.
Diablo was now stronger than when he fought with Benimaru.
(TN: See Tournament Arc)
His defeat at that time only fueled a desire to overcome such adverse conditions the next time.
To that effect, he was, even at present, the strongest among my subordinates.
Wisdom Lord Raphael had calculated thus, so there was no doubt.
Following Diablo in the ranks were, Benimaru, Shion, and Zegion in that order.
Following them are the 3 Demon Dukes.
(TN: Carrera, Testa, and Ultima I assume)
Zegion was a bit of a surprise, but Diablo was still many degrees stronger.
This Diablo was to be evolved.
With his strength now surpassing that of mine when I first evolved, his evolution is one that I highly anticipate.
“I bestow you with the title ‘Demon Lord’.
(TN: The author keeps calling everything demon lord dammit. Longer note at the end.)
Keep serving me as my loyal confidant and as the leader of the Demons.”
“Kufufufufu, it would be my honor, Rimuru-sama!”
And the Devil was born.
Diablo’s evolution put him at the highest peaks along with this world’s strongest.
With Benimaru and Shion’s evolutions being rather underwhelming, he was truly the one who could stand beside me.
It was done in an instant.
I thought for a moment that it was going to be similar to Shion’s, but it wasn’t in the least.
He had all the increased energy perfectly under control, and didn’t let it show.
That’s Diablo for you, only excellence.
(TN: Sasuga)
The compressed magic rivalled or even surpassed the amount I saw before in Demon Lord Dagrule.
With this evolution, we have gained another great asset.
Could I fight him all out this time? Was my secret thought.
Diablo’s Gift
(TN: blessing, or that mechanic where your underlings can get stronger just by you getting stronger.)
propagated through his lackey Venom, and the 100 demon troops subordinate to him.
Venom evolved to Demon Duke class.
But he was still weaker than the likes of Testarossa or Carrera.
Even being the same Demon Duke class, his stats were not as high.
Among the Demon aristocracy, there were such things as Dukes, Barons, and Knights.
In the first place, the 3 Demon Dukes that Diablo had brought along had enough power to almost match himself.
The three who had held positions amongst the strongest for so long wouldn’t lose to some greenhorn like Venom.
It wouldn’t be a battle of luck, nor would the increased energy levels give him increased intelligence.
This difference in level would create an insurmountable difference in strength.
Still, it may be my imagination, but Diablo seemed to hold back the propagation of his Gift.
I don’t honestly know if that’s even possible, I felt like that was the case.
But it was Diablo, so anything could happen. So this result was expected.
Diablo seemed to have the view that one must gain strength by their own means.
Even so, Venom wasn’t that weak to begin with.
For better or worse, he did become a Demon Duke.
It was enough of an evolution.
Further, he didn’t get in over his head after becoming the same class as Testarrossa and co., and duly noted the difference in power between him and them.
His being Diablo’s subordinate showed.
(TN: Sasuga)
Well if he did get too ambitious, Diablo would probably have ended him right there.
Diablo wasn’t soft on those under his command.
Besides Venom, there were others who received the Gift.
The 100 subordinates of Venom who here given automaton bodies from the Culture Capsules, have become elite Demon Chevaliers
(TN: knights)
They were not as strong as Arch Demons, but surpassed the strength of Devils.
(TN: Majin)
They could probably finish a Greater Demon in a single hit.
To be honest, their strength was unexpected.
Diablo exceeds common sense as usual.
(TN: Sasuga)
But the person in question didn’t seem to care, and left the Demon Chevaliers to the management of Venom.
Diablo’s priority was to be of use to me it seems.
Even after the evolution, Diablo be Diablo.
Next, would be the rewards for the guys in the Labyrinth.
Zegion, Kumara, Adalman.
They called themselves members of the 10 Lords of the Labyrinth.
At this point, worrying about them going berserk was unnecessary.
But to be safe, I did their evolution one by one.
First: Kumara.
Her new title would be ‘Chimeric Lord’ Kumara.
The Kumara I had picked up, yet a small silver furred fox, was now master of several Demonic Beasts.
I had hidden her in the Labyrinth ―― originally for protection ―― but, at some point, she had risen up the ranks of Floor Bosses, and was now one of the Labyrinth Guardians.
I still remember her as a Floor Boss.
I named her Kumara because she was a Nine-Tailed Fox.
(TN: Kyu = 9 = Ku(mara)?)
I had left her in the freshly made floor 90 where the adventurers would likely never get to, and she later asked me to name some of her friends on that floor.
It’s important to note that I didn’t accept just because a little girl asked.
(TN: lolicon.)
It was just on a whim.
Naming monsters came with some high risks, but naming Demonic Beasts decreased that risk somewhat.
Plus, these beasts were like children, so I named them with no problem.
And that had resulted in a shocking before -> after. It was shocking to anyone. It was shocking to me!
What’s done was done.
The Demonic Beasts being parts of Kumara herself, she had acquired nine names from me…… and her current strength was made possible by acquiring the dense Demonic Energy of nine named monsters.
It was past the time when they were just kids, and the 8 of the Demonic Beasts were lined up in front of me.
At a glance, they were each pretty strong.
Kumara successfully evolved into Demon Lord class.
Kumara’s tails all became shining golden, and her hair, a beautiful mix of silver and gold, flowed gently down her back.
Was it only her beauty that evolved?
No, certainly her Energy also increased greatly.